Pit bull that attacked Bay Area fireman twice is spared

A file photo of pit bulls in a shelter in Riverside County, where leaders are considering a mandatory sterlization measure for the breed. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A pit bull that charged at and bit a firefighter -- twice -- as he rendered aid inside a Bay Area home has been granted a reprieve from being euthanized.

The 5-year-old pit bull mix, Indi, had completed a 10-day rabies quarantine on Thursday and was scheduled to be put down, the Press-Democrat reported. That was, until a trainer said the dog was a good candidate for rehabilitation.

The dog was sent to the Petaluma Animal Shelter south of Santa Rosa after she bit a fire captain's left leg and hand on Sept. 16 as he rendered aid to the father of her owner, Daniel Dellucci of Rohnert Park.

Advertisement

The firefighter said the pit bull charged into the house and lunged at him twice. He was treated for puncture wounds to his leg and hand at a medical clinic and returned to work, the Press-Democrat reported.

Jeff Charter, executive director of the animal shelter, said the incident could be "easily explained," saying the dog was reacting to the "stressful situation" of strangers being present in the home.

"If a dog really wants to bite you it will do more damage," he said.

During her stay at the shelter, Charter said the dog "hasn't shown any hostility toward people."

Pit bulls have come under scrutiny in the Southland after violent attacks left one jogger dead in Antelope Valley last year and, most recently, a 2-year-old boy in Colton. Riverside County leaders are also considering a measure requiring pit bulls that don't belong to certain groups – such as licensed breeders – are sterilized.

Mary Quinn, the animal trainer who intervened on Indi's behalf, told the Press-Democrat that the pit bulls are a "powerful breed," and owners "have to know what they're doing."